BRIDGES AND CULVERTS (EXCERPT)
Act 354 of 1925
GENERAL PROVISIONS.


254.17 Bridge; specifications by state department without cost.

Sec. 17.

     The bridge specifications of the state highway department shall provide such requirements for load capacity, clearances, allowable unit stresses and loads, distributions, workmanship, impact and deterioration allowances as in the judgment of the state highway commissioner are necessary to meet the requirements of existing and future growth of traffic highway improvements and local needs. Such specifications may, at his option, be revised from time to time as he may deem best and shall be furnished free of cost to all proper parties requesting the same.


History: 1925, Act 354, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1925 ;-- CL 1929, 4538 ;-- CL 1948, 254.17





254.18 Repealed. 1958, Act 77, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided that no bridge be constructed by the state within city or village having a population of 6,000, and provided for joint action on a boundary bridge.





254.19 Bridge; carrying capacity.

Sec. 19.

     Hereafter no bridge shall be constructed which shall have a carrying capacity less than that specified by the bridge specifications of the state highway department, current at the time the work of construction is commenced, or which shall have a roadway width at the narrowest part thereof, of less than 19 feet, measured above top of curb, or which shall have a clear height for vehicles of less than 14 feet: Provided, That the provisions of this section as to width shall not be applicable to bridges on township and village roads which have an average traffic count, as determined by the state highway department, of less than 500 vehicles in 14 hours, until on and after the first day of July 1927.


History: 1925, Act 354, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1925 ;-- CL 1929, 4540 ;-- CL 1948, 254.19





254.19a Federally compliant and risk-based inspection plan.

Sec. 19a.

    The state transportation department shall institute and implement a federally compliant and risk-based inspection plan for all bridges under its jurisdiction.


History: Add. 1968, Act 222, Eff. Feb. 2, 1969 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 375, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1982 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 16, Eff. May 23, 2016





254.20 Posting of narrow and one-lane bridges; uniform traffic control devices.

Sec. 20.

     Every bridge which has a clear 2-way roadway width of less than 19 feet, but more than 17 feet at the narrowest part thereof, shall be posted as a narrow bridge; and every bridge which has a clear 2-way roadway width, as so measured, of 17 feet or less, shall be posted as a 1-lane bridge. Such posting shall be in accordance with the manual of uniform traffic control devices adopted pursuant to section 608 of Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, being section 257.608 of the Compiled Laws of 1948.


History: 1925, Act 354, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1925 ;-- CL 1929, 4541 ;-- CL 1948, 254.20 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 274, Imd. Eff. July 21, 1965





254.21 Movable bridge; warning, protection, penalty.

Sec. 21.

     All movable bridges shall be provided with warning lights, signs, protection gates and other devices as shall be prescribed by the state highway commissioner and as may be required by the board of supervisors in its permit for construction, which said lights, signs, protection gates and other devices shall be so constructed, placed, maintained and operated as to provide reasonable safety to the public. Protection gates or devices shall at all times be closed before the draw or swing span is opened for any purpose and shall be kept closed until the draw or swing is closed, and the bridge is ready for public travel. Any person who shall wilfully violate any of the provisions hereof shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than 50 dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.


History: 1925, Act 354, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1925 ;-- CL 1929, 4542 ;-- CL 1948, 254.21
Former Law: See sections 18, 19, and 20 of Ch. 8 of Act 283 of 1909, being CL 1915, §§ 4432 to 4434.





254.22 Bridge over navigable stream; construction and maintenance.

Sec. 22.

     Bridges over any navigable streams shall be so constructed as not to prevent or hinder the navigation of such streams by the usual crafts plying thereon. All such bridges shall be so constructed and maintained as not to interfere with the ordinary uses of said streams for driving logs or floating other materials or boats therein, and shall be constructed and maintained so as to offer and afford reasonable, adequate and proper means for the passage of boats, vessels, sawlogs, floating timber and rafts through the same.


History: 1925, Act 354, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1925 ;-- CL 1929, 4543 ;-- CL 1948, 254.22
Former Law: See section 11 of Ch. 16 of Act 283 of 1909, being CL 1915, § 4528.





254.23 Movable span bridge; rules, posting, duty of commissioner.

Sec. 23.

     The commissioners having charge of movable span bridges shall cause to be posted in each commissioner's or operator's shelter rules and regulations governing the operation of the structure and all parts appertaining thereto, and shall see that every operator complies with such regulations. Such regulations shall be in accordance with the specifications of the state highway department as applying to movable bridges and with such other regulations in regard to signals, lights, etc., as may be prescribed by the war department of the United States government or as may be otherwise existent for the control of navigation.


History: 1925, Act 354, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1925 ;-- CL 1929, 4544 ;-- CL 1948, 254.23





254.24 Repealed. 1958, Act 77, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for construction, control, and maintenance of bridges in villages.



Rendered 8/15/2025 2:20 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov